Measuring indoor air quality for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system

ABSTRACT

An air quality measuring device that includes a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber, and a fourth chamber. The first chamber includes a first inlet configured to receive a first airflow, a first outlet configured to receive a first portion of the first airflow, and a second outlet configured to receive a second portion of the first airflow. The second chamber includes a second inlet configured to receive the first portion of the first airflow and a first sensor disposed within the second chamber. The third chamber includes a third inlet configured to receive the second portion of the first airflow and a second sensor disposed within the third chamber. The fourth chamber includes a fourth inlet configured to receive the second portion of the first airflow and a third sensor disposed within the fourth chamber.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to Heating, Ventilation, andAir Conditioning (HVAC) system control, and more specifically tomeasuring indoor air quality for an HVAC system.

BACKGROUND

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are typicallyused to regulate the temperature of a room or space. In addition toregulating temperature, HVAC systems also control the comfort level of aspace by monitoring the quality of the air that is provided to the spaceby the HVAC system. The air that is provided to a space may containvarious levels of carbon dioxide, particulates, organic compounds,and/or other substances. The HVAC system monitors and controls theamount of substances in the air to ensure an optimal comfort level forthe occupants of a space. One of the technical challenges associatedwith monitoring and controlling the amount of substances in the air isthat each of the sensors that are used may have different flow rate andair volume requirements for measuring substances within the air.

SUMMARY

The disclosed system provides several practical applications andtechnical advantages that overcome the previously discussed technicalproblems. The following disclosure provides a practical application ofan air quality measuring device for a heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) system. The disclosed air quality measuring deviceprovides practical applications that improve the resource utilization ofthe components of an HVAC system. The air quality measuring device isgenerally configured to provide airflow paths within the air qualitymeasuring device and to position a plurality of sensors within the airquality measuring such that each sensor is configured to measurecharacteristics or attributes of air that flows through the interior ofthe air quality measuring device. The sensors are located withindifferent chambers within the air quality measuring device which allowsthe air quality measuring device to control the flow rate and air volumethat is provided to each sensor. This process provides improves resourceutilization by dynamically controlling the flow rate and air volume thatis provided to each sensor which allows each sensor to more accuratelymeasure the amount of substances in the air to improve the air qualityof an HVAC system, and thereby, improves the overall performance of theHVAC system.

In one embodiment, the air quality measuring device includes a firstchamber, a second chamber, a third chamber, and a fourth chamber. Thefirst chamber includes a first inlet configured to receive an airflow, afirst outlet configured to receive a first portion of the airflow, and asecond outlet configured to receive a second portion of the airflow. Thesecond chamber includes a second inlet configured to receive the firstportion of the airflow and a first sensor disposed within the secondchamber. The third chamber includes a third inlet configured to receivethe second portion of the airflow and a second sensor disposed withinthe third chamber. The fourth chamber includes a fourth inlet configuredto receive the second portion of the airflow and a third sensor disposedwithin the fourth chamber.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include some, all, ornone of these advantages. These advantages and other features will bemore clearly understood from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is nowmade to the following brief description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like referencenumerals represent like parts.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an embodiment of an air quality measuringdevice for an HVAC system;

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the air quality measuringdevice;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the air qualitymeasuring device;

FIG. 4 is another front perspective view of an embodiment of the airquality measuring device;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are side profile views of an embodiment a sensor housingof the air quality measuring device;

FIG. 6 is a back perspective view of an embodiment of the sensor housingof the air quality measuring device;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an interior portion ofthe sensor housing of the air quality measuring device;

FIG. 8 is another perspective view of an embodiment of an interiorportion of the sensor housing of the air quality measuring device;

FIG. 9 is a cutaway view of an embodiment of the air quality measuringdevice providing airflow paths within the air quality measuring device;

FIG. 10 is a cutaway view of an embodiment of the air quality measuringdevice providing fluid flow paths from an interior to an exterior of theair quality measuring device; and

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an embodiment of an air quality measuringprocess using the air quality measuring device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION System Overview

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an air qualitymeasuring device 100 for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning(HVAC) systems. The air quality measuring device 100 is generallyconfigured to perform measurements to determine the air quality of theair within a space and/or air that is provided by an HVAC system. Forexample, the air quality measuring device 100 may be configured tomeasure a carbon dioxide (CO2) level, a particulate level, a TotalVolatile Organic Compound (TVOC) level, or any other type of substance.The air quality measuring device 100 comprises a plurality of flow pathsand chambers that are configured to direct portions of an airflow to thedifferent sensors that are disposed within the air quality measuringdevice 100.

HVAC System

An HVAC system is generally configured to provide air to a space tocontrol the temperature of the space. Examples of a space include, butare not limited to, a room, a home, an apartment, a mall, an office, awarehouse, or a building. The HVAC system may comprise the air qualitymeasuring device 100, a thermostat, a furnace, compressors, heat pumps,fans, blowers, evaporators, condensers, air ducts, and/or any othersuitable type of hardware for controlling the temperature of the space.

Air Quality Measuring Device

The air quality measuring device 100 is generally configured to receiveair from an HVAC system and to perform measurements on the air todetermine the air quality of the air within a space and/or air from theHVAC system. FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an embodiment of an airquality measuring device 100. In one embodiment, the air qualitymeasuring device 100 comprises a sensor housing 102, a bypass housing104, and a mounting plate 106. An example of the assembled air qualitymeasuring device 100 is shown in FIG. 2 .

Sensor Housing

The sensor housing 102 is generally configured to provide airflow pathswithin the sensor housing 102 and to position a plurality of sensorswithin the sensor housing 102 such that each sensor is configured tomeasure characteristics or attributes of air that flows through theinterior of the sensor housing 102. Additional details about the airflowpaths and the components within the sensor housing 102 are discussed inFIGS. 7-9 . The sensor housing 102 may be formed using plastics, metals,or any other suitable type of material. In the example shown in FIG. 1 ,the sensor housing 102 has a cuboid shape. In other examples, the sensorhousing 102 may be any other suitable shape.

The sensor housing 102 is configured to couple with a top surface 108the bypass housing 104 at a bottom surface 126 of the sensor housing102. The sensor housing 102 comprises a plurality of openings (e.g.openings 708 shown in FIG. 7 ) that are configured to align andinterface with openings 110 in the bypass housing 104. The interfacebetween the openings 708 of the sensor housing 102 and the openings 110of the bypass housing 104 may comprise seals, gaskets, or any othersuitable type of material or hardware to provide sealed airflow pathsbetween the sensor housing 102 and the bypass housing 104. In someembodiments, the interface between the openings 708 of the sensorhousing 102 and the openings 110 of the bypass housing 104 may beconfigured to provide a friction-based coupling between the sensorhousing 102 and the bypass housing 104. In some embodiments, the bypasshousing 104 may be omitted. In this case, the openings 708 of the sensorhousing 102 may be configured to couple to air ducts of an HVAC systeminstead of the bypass housing 104. In other embodiments when the bypasshousing 104 is omitted, the openings 708 of the sensor housing 102 maybe configured to directly sample conditioned air within a space. In thiscase, one of the openings 708 (shown as opening 916 in FIG. 9 ) may beconfigured to draw air into the sensor housing 102 and the other opening708 (shown as opening 924 in FIG. 9 ) may be configured to return thesampled air back to the space.

The sensor housing 102 is configured to couple with a front surface 120of the mounting plate 106 at a back surface 116 of the sensor housing102. The sensor housing 102 comprises a plurality of interfaces (e.g.interfaces 604 shown in FIG. 6 ) that are configured to couple withinterfaces 122 on the mounting plate 106 to couple the sensor housing102 with the mounting plate 106. For example, the sensor housing 102 maycomprise a plurality of slots or openings that are configured to receiveand interface with protrusions on the mounting plate 106 to couple thesensor housing 102 and the mounting plate 106 with each other.

Bypass Housing

The bypass housing 104 is generally configured to provide airflow pathswithin the bypass housing 104 that send air from an HVAC system to thesensor housing 102 and receive the air back from the sensor housing 102.Additional details about the airflow paths within the bypass housing 104are discussed in FIG. 9 . The bypass housing 104 may be formed usingplastics, metals, or any other suitable type of material. In the exampleshown in FIG. 1 , the bypass housing 104 has a cuboid shape. In otherexamples, the bypass housing 104 may be any other suitable shape.

The bypass housing 104 comprises openings 112 and 114 that areconfigured to couple the bypass housing 104 to air ducts of an HVACsystem. The openings 112 and 114 may be coupled with the air ducts usingfriction, couplers, fasteners, or any other suitable type of mechanism.

The bypass housing 104 is configured to couple with the front surface120 of the mounting plate 106 at a back surface 128 of the bypasshousing 104. The bypass housing 104 comprises a plurality of interfacesthat are configured to couple with interfaces 122 on the mounting plate106 to couple the bypass housing 104 with the mounting plate 106. Forexample, the bypass housing 104 may comprise a plurality of slots oropenings that are configured to receive and interface with protrusionson the mounting plate 106 to couple the bypass housing 104 and themounting plate 106 with each other.

Mounting Plate

The mounting plate 106 is generally configured to couple the sensorhousing 102 with the bypass housing 104. For example, after coupling thesensor housing 102 and the bypass housing 104 to the mounting plate 106,the mounting plate 106 is configured to fix the position of the sensorhousing 102 and the bypass housing 104 with respect to each other whichcouples the sensor housing 102 and the bypass housing 104 to each other.

The mounting plate 106 is further configured to allow the sensor housing102 and the bypass housing 104 to be mounted to a surface (e.g. a wall).For example, the mounting plate 106 may comprise one or more slots oropenings 124 that are configured to allow mounting hardware (e.g. screwsor nails) to pass through the mounting plate 106 to couple the mountingplate 106 to a surface. The sensor housing 102 and the bypass housing104 may be coupled to the mounting plate 106 before or after couplingthe mounting plate 106 onto a surface.

Additional Views of the Air Quality Measuring Device

FIGS. 3 and 4 are front perspective views of an embodiment of the airquality measuring device 100. FIGS. 5A and 5B are side profile views ofan embodiment the sensor housing 102 of the air quality measuring device100. In some embodiments, the sensor housing 102 may further compriseone or more side vents 302. Each side vent 302 is configured to providea fluid or air path from an interior of the sensor housing 102 to anexterior of the sensor housing 102. In this configuration, the sidevents 302 are configured to reduce or remove condensation from withinthe sensor housing 102. The sensor housing 102 may comprise any suitablenumber of side vents 302. In FIGS. 3-5B, the side vents are shown asoval slots. In other examples, the side vents 302 may be any othersuitable shape. Additional details about the configuration of the sidevents 302 are described in FIG. 10 .

In some embodiments, the sensor housing 102 may comprise one or morebuttons or switches for controlling the operation of electronics thatare within the sensor housing 102. For example, the sensor housing 102may comprise a power switch, a reset button, a wireless connectionbutton, LEDs, or any other type of mechanism that is configured tocontrol the operation of electronics within the sensor housing 102. Forinstance, the sensor housing 102 may comprise one or more LEDS that areconfigured to indicate a wireless pairing status, a connection statuswith a thermostat, or any other suitable type of status. In thisexample, the LED may be configured to use different colors and/or flashpatterns to indicate a status.

FIG. 6 is a back perspective view of an embodiment of the sensor housing102 of the air quality measuring device 100. As previously discussed inFIG. 1 , the sensor housing 102 may comprise a plurality of interfaces604 that is configured to receive and couple with interfaces 122 on themounting plate 106 to couple the sensor housing 102 with the mountingplate 106.

In some embodiments, the sensor housing 102 may further comprise anelectrical interface 602. Examples of the electrical interface 602include, but are not limited to, a screw terminal, a terminal strip,crimp terminals, battery terminals, or any other suitable type ofinterface for coupling electrical wires. The electrical interface 602 isan interface that is configured to allow electronics within the sensorhousing 102 to communicate with other devices. For example, theelectrical interface 602 may be configured to couple to an electricalpower source (e.g. a battery or AC mains) to provide power toelectronics within the sensor housing 102. As another example, theelectrical interface 602 may be configured to couple to a controller(e.g. a hardware processor) which allows the controller to control theoperation of electronics within the sensor housing 102, to send data orinstructions to the electronics within the sensor housing 102, and/or toreceive data from the electronics within the sensor housing 102. Inother examples, the sensor housing 102 may further comprise any othersuitable type of interface for coupling and communicating with otherdevices.

Interior of the Sensor Housing

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an interior portion ofthe sensor housing 102 of the air quality measuring device 100. Thesensor housing 102 further comprises one or more printed circuit boards(PCBs) that are configured to control the operation of a plurality ofsensors. In one embodiment, the sensor housing 102 comprises a CO2sensor 704, a particulate sensor 808, and a TVOC sensor 706. The CO2sensor 704 is configured to measure a carbon dioxide level that ispresent within a volume of air and to output an electrical signal thatindicates the carbon dioxide level that was measured. Examples of CO2sensors 704 include, but are not limited to, non-dispersive infraredsensors, electrochemical sensors, photoacoustic sensors, and metal oxidesemiconductor sensors. The particulate sensor 808 is configured tomeasure a particulate matter level that is present within a volume ofair and to output an electrical signal that indicates the particulatematter level that was measured. Examples of particulate sensors 808include, but are not limited to, infrared sensors and laser diffractionsensors. The particulate sensor 808 may be configured to measure coarseparticles (PM10), fine particles (PM 2.5), and/or ultrafine particles(PM 0.1). The TVOC sensor 706 is configured to measure a TVOC level thatis present within a volume of air and to output an electrical signalthat indicates the TVOC level that was measured. Examples of TVOCsensors 706 include, but are not limited to, photoionization detectors,flame ionization detectors, and metal oxide semiconductor sensors. Inother examples, the sensor housing 102 may further comprise any othersuitable type of sensors or combination of sensors.

FIG. 8 is another perspective view of an embodiment of an interiorportion of the sensor housing 102 of the air quality measuring device100. The sensor housing 102 comprises a plurality of chambers 802, 804,806, 810, and 812. The chambers 802, 804, 806, 810, and 812 may beformed using plastics, metals, or any other suitable type of material.The chambers 802, 804, 806, 810, and 812 are generally configured toprovide airflow paths within the sensor housing 102 that direct air tothe sensors disposed within the sensor housing 102. An example of theairflow paths formed by the chambers 802, 804, 806, 810, and 812 isdescribed in FIG. 9 .

In one embodiment, the sensor housing 102 comprises one or more angledsurfaces 816 that are configured to provide fluid paths for one or moresurfaces within the sensor housing 102 to the exterior of the sensorhousing 102 via a side vent 302. The angled surface 816 may have afive-degree downward angle, a ten-degree downward angle, afifteen-degree downward, or any other suitable downward angle.

Airflow Paths within the Air Quality Measuring Device

FIG. 9 is a cutaway view of an embodiment of the air quality measuringdevice 100 providing airflow paths within the air quality measuringdevice 100. FIG. 9 illustrates an example of how an airflow 902 isdirected towards the chambers and sensors that are disposed within theair quality measuring device 100. In this example, the bypass housing104 is configured to receive an airflow 902 from an HVAC system at aninlet opening 112. The bypass housing 104 is configured to direct afirst portion of the airflow 904 towards an opening 916 (e.g. outletopening 110) in the bypass housing 104. The bypass housing 104 isfurther configured to direct a second portion of the airflow 902 towardsan outlet opening 114 of the bypass housing 104.

The sensor housing 102 is configured to receive the airflow 904 at anopening 916 (e.g. opening 708) of a first chamber 802 of the sensorhousing 102. The sensor housing 102 is further configured to direct afirst portion 904A of the airflow 904 from the first chamber 802 towardsan opening 918 of a second chamber 804 and a second portion 904B of theairflow 904 from the first chamber 802 towards an opening 920 of a thirdchamber 806. In this example, the second portion 904B of the airflow 904that is directed towards the third chamber 806 has a higher flow ratethan the first portion 904A of the airflow 904 that is directed towardsthe second chamber 804.

In one embodiment, a CO2 sensor 704 is disposed within the secondchamber 804. The opening 918 acts as an inlet for the second chamber 804that is configured to direct the first portion 904A of the airflow 904towards the CO2 sensor 704. In this configuration, the CO2 sensor 704 isconfigured to sense the first portion 904A of the airflow 904 to measurea carbon dioxide level of the first portion 904A of the airflow 904. TheCO2 sensor 704 may output the measured carbon dioxide level to one ormore hardware processors within the sensor housing 102 and/or externalfrom the sensor housing 102.

In one embodiment, a fan 814 and a particulate sensor 808 are disposedwithin the third chamber 806. For example, the fan 814 may be located atthe opening 922 of the third chamber 806 and configured to actively drawthe second portion 904B of the airflow 904 into the third chamber 806.In this example, the fan 814 may provide or induce the higher flow rateof the second portion 904B of the airflow 904. The opening 920 acts asan inlet for the third chamber 806 that is configured to direct thesecond portion 904B of the airflow 904 towards the particulate sensor808 and an outlet opening 922 in the third chamber 806 towards a fourthchamber 810. In this configuration, the particulate sensor 808 isconfigured to sense the second portion 904B of the airflow 904 before itexits the third chamber 806 to measure a particulate level of the secondportion 904B of the airflow 904. The particulate sensor 808 may outputthe measured particulate level to one or more hardware processors withinthe sensor housing 102 and/or external from the sensor housing 102. Insome embodiments, the third chamber 806 may comprise one or more othertypes of sensors disposed within the third chamber 806. In this case,the one or more other types of sensor may be configured to measure anyother suitable type of characteristics of the air within the thirdchamber 806.

In one embodiment, a TVOC sensor 706 is disposed within the fourthchamber 810. The opening 922 acts as an inlet for the fourth chamber 810that is configured to direct the second portion 904B of the airflow 904towards the TVOC sensor 706 and an outlet opening 924 in the fourthchamber 810. In this configuration, the TVOC sensor 706 is configured tosense the second portion 904B of the airflow 904 before it exits thefourth chamber 810 to measure a TVOC level in the second portion 904B ofthe airflow 904. The TVOC sensor 706 may output the measured TVOC levelto one or more hardware processors within the sensor housing 102 and/orexternal from the sensor housing 102.

The bypass housing 104 is further configured to receive the secondportion 904B of the airflow 904 from the fourth chamber 810 of thesensor housing 102 and to combine the received airflow with the airflowthat bypasses the sensor housing 102. The bypass housing 104 outputs thecombined airflow via the outlet opening 114 in the bypass housing 104.

Fluid Flow Paths within the Air Quality Measuring Device

FIG. 10 is a cutaway view of an embodiment of the air quality measuringdevice 100 providing fluid flow paths from an interior to an exterior ofthe air quality measuring device 100. FIG. 10 illustrates an example ofhow a fluid (e.g. condensate) can be routed from interior surfaces 1004of the sensor housing 102 to the exterior of the sensor housing 102. Inthis example, when condensate begins to form and accumulate within thesensor housing 102, the condensate will fall onto one or more of theangled surfaces 816 within the sensor housing 102. The angled surfaces816 are configured to provide a fluid flow path 1002 that directs thecondensate to the side vents 302 of the sensor housing 102. In thisconfiguration, the condensate follows the fluid flow path 1002 and exitsthe interior of the sensor housing 102 via the side vents 302 of thesensor housing 102. This feature prevents condensate from accumulatingwithin the sensor housing 102 which may damage the electronics withinthe sensor housing 102.

Air Quality Measuring Process

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an embodiment of an air quality measuringprocess 1100 using the air quality measuring device 100. The air qualitymeasuring device 100 employs process 1100 to direct an airflow towardsthe chambers and sensors that are disposed within the air qualitymeasuring device 100 to perform measurements on the airflow and todetermine the quality of the airflow.

At operation 1102, the air quality measuring device 100 receives anairflow 902 at a first inlet of a first chamber 802 of the sensorhousing 102. Referring to the example in FIG. 9 , the sensor housing 102receives a portion 904 of an airflow 902 from an HVAC system via thebypass housing 104. In other examples, the sensor housing 102 mayreceive the airflow 902 directly from the HVAC system when the bypasshousing 104 is not installed. The sensor housing 102 receives theportion 904 of the airflow 902 at an inlet opening 916 of a firstchamber 802 of the sensor housing 102.

Returning to FIG. 11 at operation 1104, the air quality measuring device100 outputs a first portion 904A of the airflow 904 at a first outlet ofthe first chamber 802 of the sensor housing 102. Continuing with theexample in FIG. 9 , a first portion 904A of the airflow 904 is directedtowards the second chamber 804 of the sensor housing 102 via opening918. The first portion 904A of the airflow 904 has a first flow rate.

Returning to FIG. 11 at operation 1106, the air quality measuring device100 outputs a second portion 904B of the airflow 904 at a second outletof the first chamber 802 of the sensor housing 102. Continuing with theexample in FIG. 9 , a second portion 904B of the airflow 904 is directedtowards the third chamber 806 of the sensor housing 102 via opening 920.The second portion 904B of the airflow 904 has a second flow rate thatis greater than the first flow rate. In this example, the second flowrate is controlled and provided by a fan 814 that is disposed at theoutlet 922 of the third chamber 806 to draw air into the third chamber806.

Returning to FIG. 11 at operation 1108, the air quality measuring device100 receives the first portion 904A of the airflow 904 at a second inletof a second chamber 804 of the sensor housing 102. Continuing with theexample in FIG. 9 , the first portion 904A of the airflow 904 isreceived by the second chamber 804 at the opening 918 and is directedtowards a first sensor 704 that is disposed within the second chamber804. After the first portion 904A of the air flow 904 enters the secondchamber 804, the first portion 904A of the air flow 904 may exit thesecond chamber 804 via the opening 918 to recombine with the airflow inthe first chamber 802 to form the second portion 904B of the air flow904 such that there is no net loss flow for the air flow that enters theair quality measuring device 100.

Returning to FIG. 11 at operation 1110, the air quality measuring device100 senses the first portion 904A of the airflow 904 using a firstsensor 704 disposed within the second chamber 804. Continuing with theexample in FIG. 9 , the first sensor 704 may be a CO2 sensor. In thisexample, the CO2 sensor 704 senses the first portion 904A of the airflow904 to measure a carbon dioxide level of the first portion 904A of theairflow 904. The CO2 sensor 704 then outputs the measured carbon dioxidelevel to one or more hardware processors within the sensor housing 102and/or external from the sensor housing 102. In other examples, thesecond chamber 804 may comprise any other suitable type of low flowsensor that is configured to measure the characteristics of the firstportion 904A of the airflow 904.

Returning to FIG. 11 at operation 1112, the air quality measuring device100 receives the second portion 904B of the airflow 904 at a third inletof a third chamber 806 of the sensor housing 102. Continuing with theexample in FIG. 9 , the second portion 904B of the airflow 904 isreceived by the third chamber 806 at the opening 920 and is directedtowards a second sensor 808 that is disposed within the third chamber806.

Returning to FIG. 11 at operation 1114, the air quality measuring device100 senses the second portion 904B of the airflow 904 using a secondsensor 808 disposed within the third chamber 806. Continuing with theexample in FIG. 9 , the second sensor 808 may be a particulate sensor.In this example, the particulate sensor 808 senses the second portion904B of the airflow 904 before it exits the third chamber 806 to measurea particulate level of the second portion 904B of the airflow 904. Theparticulate sensor 808 then outputs the measured particulate level toone or more hardware processors within the sensor housing 102 and/orexternal from the sensor housing 102.

Returning to FIG. 11 at operation 1116, the air quality measuring device100 outputs the second portion 904B of the airflow 904 at a third outletof the third chamber 806. Continuing with the example in FIG. 9 , thesecond portion 904B of the airflow 904 is directed towards the fourthchamber 810 of the sensor housing 102 via opening 922.

Returning to FIG. 11 at operation 1118, the air quality measuring device100 receives the second portion 904B of the airflow 904 at a fourthinlet of a fourth chamber 810 of the sensor housing 102. Continuing withthe example in FIG. 9 , the second portion 904B of the airflow 904 isreceived by the fourth chamber 810 at the opening 922 and is directedtowards a third sensor 706 that is disposed within the fourth chamber810.

Returning to FIG. 11 at operation 1120, the air quality measuring device100 senses the second portion 904B of the airflow 904 using a thirdsensor 706 disposed within the fourth chamber 810. Continuing with theexample in FIG. 9 , the third sensor 706 may be a TVOC sensor. In thisexample, the TVOC sensor 706 senses the second portion 904B of theairflow 904 before it exits the fourth chamber 810 to measure a TVOClevel in the second portion 904B of the airflow 904. The TVOC sensor 706then output the measured TVOC level to one or more hardware processorwithin the sensor housing 102 and/or external from the sensor housing102.

Returning to FIG. 11 at operation 1122, the air quality measuring device100 outputs the second portion 904B of the airflow 904 at a fourthoutlet of the fourth chamber 810. Continuing with the example in FIG. 9, the second portion 904B of the airflow 904 is directed towards out ofthe sensor housing 102 via opening 924. In this example, the secondportion 904B of the airflow 904 may be directed back to the bypasshousing 104 where it may be combined with an airflow that is passingthrough the bypass housing 104. In other examples, the second portion904B of the airflow 904 may be directed back to an HVAC system orintroduced into a space.

In some embodiments, one or more the sensors (i.e. CO2 sensor 704,particulate sensor 808, and TVOC sensor 706) may be optional andomitted. In this case, the operations associated with using thesesensors may also be omitted.

While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure,it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods might beembodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spiritor scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is notto be limited to the details given herein. For example, the variouselements or components may be combined or integrated with another systemor certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.

In addition, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described andillustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may becombined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, ormethods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.Other items shown or discussed as coupled or directly coupled orcommunicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicatingthrough some interface, device, or intermediate component whetherelectrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes,substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in theart and could be made without departing from the spirit and scopedisclosed herein.

To aid the Patent Office, and any readers of any patent issued on thisapplication in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants notethat they do not intend any of the appended claims to invoke 35 U.S.C. §112(f) as it exists on the date of filing hereof unless the words “meansfor” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.

1. An air quality measuring device, comprising: a first housingcomprising: a first chamber comprising: a first inlet configured toreceive a first airflow; a first outlet configured to receive a firstportion of the first airflow, wherein the first portion of the firstairflow has a first flow rate; and a second outlet configured to receivea second portion of the first airflow, wherein the second portion of thefirst airflow has a second flow rate that is greater than the first flowrate; a second chamber comprising: a second inlet configured to receivethe first portion of the first airflow; and a first sensor disposedwithin the second chamber, wherein the first sensor is configured tosense the first portion of the first airflow; a third chambercomprising: a third inlet configured to receive the second portion ofthe first airflow; a third outlet to output the second portion of thefirst airflow; and a second sensor disposed within the third chamber,wherein the second sensor is configured to sense the second portion ofthe first airflow; and a fourth chamber comprising: a fourth inletconfigured to receive the second portion of the first airflow; a fourthoutlet configured to output the second portion of the first airflow; anda third sensor disposed within the fourth chamber, wherein the thirdsensor is configured to sense the second portion of the first airflow.2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a second housing coupledto the first housing, comprising: a fifth chamber comprising: a fifthinlet configured to receive a second airflow; a fifth outlet configuredto output a first portion of the second airflow that corresponds withthe first airflow to the first housing; a sixth inlet configured toreceive the second portion of the first airflow from the first housing;and a sixth outlet configured to output the second portion of the firstairflow and a second portion of the second airflow.
 3. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the first sensor is configured to measure a carbondioxide level within the second chamber.
 4. The device of claim 1,wherein the second sensor is configured to measure a particulate levelwithin the third chamber.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the thirdsensor is configured to measure a Total Volatile Organic Compound levelwithin the fourth chamber.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the firsthousing further comprises a fifth chamber comprising: a side ventconfigured to provide a fluid path from the fifth chamber to an exteriorof the first housing; and an angled surface configured to provide afluid path from one or more surfaces within the fifth chamber to theside vent.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the third outlet comprisesa fan configured to provide the second flow rate of the second portionof the first airflow.
 8. An air quality measuring method, comprising:receiving a first airflow at a first inlet of a first chamber of a firsthousing; outputting a first portion of the first airflow at a firstoutlet of the first chamber of the first housing, wherein the firstportion of the first airflow has a first flowrate; outputting a secondportion of the first airflow at a second outlet of the first chamber ofthe first housing, wherein the second portion of the first airflow has asecond flowrate that is greater than the first flowrate; receiving thefirst portion of the first airflow at a second inlet of a second chamberof the first housing; sensing the first portion of the first airflowusing a first sensor disposed within the second chamber; receiving thesecond portion of the first airflow at a third inlet of a third chamberof the first housing; sensing the second portion of the first airflowusing a second sensor disposed within the third chamber; outputting thesecond portion of the first airflow at a third outlet of the thirdchamber; receiving the second portion of the first airflow at a fourthinlet of a fourth chamber of the first housing; sensing the secondportion of the first airflow using a third sensor disposed within thefourth chamber; and outputting the second portion of the first airflowat a fourth outlet of the fourth chamber.
 9. The method of claim 8,further comprising: receiving a second airflow at a fifth inlet of afifth chamber of a second housing that is coupled to the first housing;outputting at a fifth outlet of the fifth chamber a first portion of thesecond airflow that corresponds with the first airflow to the firsthousing; receiving at a sixth inlet of the fifth chamber the secondportion of the first airflow from the first housing; and outputting at asixth outlet the second portion of the first airflow and a secondportion of the second airflow.
 10. The method of claim 8, whereinsensing using the first sensor comprises measuring a carbon dioxidelevel within the second chamber.
 11. The method of claim 8, whereinsensing using the second sensor comprises measuring a particulate levelwithin the third chamber.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein sensingusing the third sensor comprises measuring a Total Volatile OrganicCompound level within the fourth chamber.
 13. The method of claim 8,further comprising providing by an angled surface within a fifth chamberof the first housing a fluid path from one or more surfaces within thefifth chamber to a side vent, wherein the side vent is configured toprovide a fluid path from the fifth chamber to an exterior of the firsthousing.
 14. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing thesecond flow rate of the second portion of the first airflow using a fandisposed within the third outlet.
 15. An air quality measuring device,comprising: a first housing comprising: a first chamber comprising: afirst inlet configured to receive a first airflow; a first outletconfigured to receive a first portion of the first airflow, wherein thefirst portion of the first airflow has a first flow rate; and a secondoutlet configured to receive a second portion of the first airflow,wherein the second portion of the first airflow has a second flow ratethat is greater than the first flow rate; a second chamber comprising: asecond inlet configured to receive the first portion of the firstairflow; and a first sensor disposed within the second chamber, whereinthe first sensor is configured to sense the first portion of the firstairflow; a third chamber comprising: a third inlet configured to receivethe second portion of the first airflow; a third outlet to output thesecond portion of the first airflow; and a second sensor disposed withinthe third chamber, wherein the second sensor is configured to sense thesecond portion of the first airflow; and a fourth chamber comprising: afourth inlet configured to receive the second portion of the firstairflow; a fourth outlet configured to output the second portion of thefirst airflow; and a third sensor disposed within the fourth chamber,wherein the third sensor is configured to sense the second portion ofthe first airflow; and a second housing coupled to the first housing,comprising: a fifth chamber comprising: a fifth inlet configured toreceive a second airflow; a fifth outlet configured to output a firstportion of the second airflow that corresponds with the first airflow tothe first housing; a sixth inlet configured to receive the secondportion of the first airflow from the first housing; and a sixth outletconfigured to output the second portion of the first airflow and asecond portion of the second airflow.
 16. The device of claim 15,wherein the first sensor is configured to measure a carbon dioxide levelwithin the second chamber.
 17. The device of claim 15, wherein thesecond sensor is configured to measure a particulate level within thethird chamber.
 18. The device of claim 15, wherein the third sensor isconfigured to measure a Total Volatile Organic Compound level within thefourth chamber.
 19. The device of claim 15, wherein the first housingfurther comprises a sixth chamber comprising: a side vent configured toprovide a fluid path from the sixth chamber to an exterior of the firsthousing; and an angled surface configured to provide a fluid path fromone or more surfaces within the sixth chamber to the side vent.
 20. Thedevice of claim 15, wherein the third outlet comprises a fan configuredto provide the second flow rate of the second portion of the firstairflow.